Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Court Interpreting course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Accuracy #
Accuracy
Concept #
The principle of producing precise and correct interpretations, free from omissions, additions, or distortions.
Challenges #
Maintaining accuracy can be difficult in high-stress or fast-paced situations. Interpreters must also balance accuracy with fluency and naturalness.
Code of Ethics #
Code of Ethics
Concept #
A set of principles that govern the behavior of professionals in a particular field. In the context of court interpreting, the code of ethics includes principles such as confidentiality, impartiality, and accuracy.
Challenges #
Interpreters must navigate complex ethical dilemmas and make difficult decisions in real-time.
Confidentiality #
Confidentiality
Concept #
The principle of keeping sensitive information private and secure, including but not limited to communications between attorneys and clients, medical information, and personal details.
Challenges #
Interpreters may be privy to sensitive information that they are not legally allowed to disclose, creating a challenging situation.
Cultural Competence #
Cultural Competence
Concept #
The ability to understand and effectively communicate with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including but not limited to language, customs, and values.
Challenges #
Interpreters must have a deep understanding of the cultures and languages they are working with, and be able to navigate cultural differences in a sensitive and effective manner.
Deontology #
Deontology
Concept #
A theory of ethics that emphasizes duty and obligation, as opposed to consequentialism, which focuses on the consequences of actions.
Challenges #
Interpreters must balance their duty to the court, the parties, and their profession, and make decisions that are in line with their ethical obligations.
Ethical Relativism #
Ethical Relativism
Concept #
A theory of ethics that suggests moral judgments are relative to the individual or culture, as opposed to ethical absolutism, which holds that there are universal moral truths.
Challenges #
Interpreters must navigate complex ethical dilemmas and make difficult decisions in real-time, taking into account the cultural and individual perspectives of all parties involved.
Fidelity #
Fidelity
Concept #
The principle of interpreting messages accurately and without distortion, while maintaining the tone and spirit of the original message.
Challenges #
Maintaining fidelity can be difficult in high-stress or fast-paced situations, where interpreters may be tempted to simplify or paraphrase messages.
Impartiality #
Impartiality
Concept #
The principle of remaining neutral and unbiased, and not favoring one party over another.
Challenges #
Interpreters must remain impartial even in the face of controversial or emotionally charged situations, and must avoid taking sides or expressing their personal opinions.
Interpreting Modes #
Interpreting Modes
Concept #
The different methods of interpreting, including consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation.
Challenges #
Each mode of interpreting presents its own unique challenges and requires different skills and techniques.
Professional Conduct #
Professional Conduct
Concept #
The behavior expected of professionals in a particular field, including but not limited to ethical behavior, competence, and reliability.
Challenges #
Interpreters must maintain high standards of professional conduct at all times, even in challenging or high-pressure situations.
Professional Development #
Professional Development
Concept #
The ongoing process of improving one's skills and knowledge in a particular field, including but not limited to training, education, and networking.
Challenges #
Interpreters must continually update their skills and knowledge to remain competitive and provide high-quality services.
Professionalism #
Professionalism
Concept #
The qualities and behaviors that are expected of professionals, including but not limited to competence, reliability, and ethical behavior.
Challenges #
Interpreters must demonstrate professionalism at all times, even in challenging or high-pressure situations.
Reliability #
Reliability
Concept #
The principle of being dependable and trustworthy, and consistently providing high-quality services.
Challenges #
Interpreters must maintain a high level of reliability even in challenging or high-pressure situations.
Simultaneous Interpreting #
Simultaneous Interpreting
Concept #
A mode of interpreting where the interpreter speaks at the same time as the speaker, providing immediate interpretations of the message.
Challenges #
Simultaneous interpreting requires a high level of skill and concentration, and can be physically and mentally demanding.
Sight Translation #
Sight Translation
Concept #
A mode of interpreting where the interpreter reads a written document and provides an oral interpretation.
Challenges #
Sight translation requires a high level of reading comprehension and interpretation skills, as well as the ability to speak fluently and clearly.
Vicarious Trauma #
Vicarious Trauma
Concept #
The emotional and psychological impact of repeatedly hearing about or witnessing traumatic events, as can occur in court interpreting.
Challenges #
Interpreters must be aware of the potential for vicarious trauma and take steps to mitigate its effects, including self-care, support networks, and professional help.
Vocabulary #
Vocabulary
Concept #
The words and phrases used in a particular language or field.
Challenges #
Interpreters must have a strong command of vocabulary in both the source and target languages, and be able to accurately translate specialized terms and jargon.
Note #
This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of the key terms and concepts related to ethics and professional responsibilities in the field of court interpreting. However, it is not an exhaustive list and interpreters should continue to expand their knowledge and understanding of these and related topics throughout their careers.